We all want the best flight for the money but it can get tricky. So hopefully this will help you know what to look for when booking your own flights.
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1) Booking the Cheapest Flight First Thing
Choosing the cheapest flight may not always be the answer or frankly not always the cheapest! There are so many fare classes today from basic economy, economy, premium economy, and so on. However many of the cheaper fares like basic economy have restrictions.
These restrictions vary by destination and airline but here are a few restrictions you may discover.
You may be required to pay for checked bags, even with "their" credit card. This can actually make an upgrade cheaper in some cases depending on the number of bags.
You may not be allowed a carry-on bag
You can't sit with your family or friends because you can't choose your seats.
Your ticket may not be refundable OR changeable.
2) Not Considering the Number of Connections
Always look at the number of flight segments. Do you have a direct flight? One-stop? Two stops? The cheaper the fare, the more connections. This can work to your advantage if you don't mind the connections.
There are times when you will transit from one airport to another. My most frequent airport change is Heathrow and Gatwick. So you arrive in Heathrow, transit to Gatwick, then fly home. It's doable but in my book, quite the hassle. You will need 3-4 hours to even though it is only 30-40 minutes away. Do you want to have one more thing to worry about? The key here is to look for this, you might miss it if you are looking at times or dates but not the airport.
3) Forgetting to Check the Arrival Date and Time
Are you arriving in time for a cruise or tour? If so, make sure you arrive early enough to catch transportation. IF transportation is provided, make sure you know the times it is offered, Many times it is offered only a few times a day and at set times.
Make sure to check that you arrive ON THE RIGHT DAY. Flights to and from Europe may have an extra day built-in. When flying to Europe you will usually fly overnight and arrive the next day. Flying home varies but makes sure you check that date.
4) Forgetting About Airport Transit Time
Always check the time you are transiting through an airport especially in Europe. If you are passing through the UK on your way home from France, you still need to get in line at passport control to show your passport. You won't deal with customs, which is usually at your final destination but always watch tight schedules. What if the plane is late? Even in the US, you take a chance. I try to allow 45 minutes to 1.0 hour on domestic flights and 1.5-2.0 hours international depending on the size of the airport and if they are known for delays.
5) Not Considering the Timing When You Buy and When You Fly
When is the best time to buy a ticket? I'm asked this all the time. The correct answer used to be as early as possible but now, not so much. Prices fluctuate based on how they are selling. The best time now seems to be between within 6 months of travel but not less than 2-3 weeks prior or prices will be at a premium.
Day of the Week to Purchase - Purchasing over the weekend when everyone else is buying flights is a no-no.
Day of the Week to Travel - Everyone travels on the weekend. If you can travel during the week you may find the best prices. Also, consider which day is the least busy at the destination airport. You will get better flights, through customs faster, and a usually better price.
For Hotels, Compare Day of Week with a Saturday Stay. - If you are staying a Saturday you're covered. If not, compare the two, sometimes you will get a good rate at a hotel just for staying a Saturday then compare that with the air and weekday stay. A little math might save you here too.
Time of Day to Fly - I don't know about you, but I really hate flying early. But guess what is the best time to fly? Yep, early morning. When I search flights, they are almost always the best rates.
A Note About Using Search Engines
Search engines allow you to look at a variety of airlines at once and some allow alerts to let you know when prices might be going up. They are designed for inexpensive flights so watch the items mentioned in this article. Not all airlines are on all search engines so be aware that you may find a better price going direct.
A Note About Using a Travel Advisor
Sure, you can book your flights yourself and some travel advisors don't book air only anyway. But, if you are working with a travel advisor for your trip, they likely will pull the entire trip together for you using this information to get you the best rate, flight, and eliminate as much hassle as possible. Plus, travel advisors may have access to special discounts both individually and more commonly with groups.
So, I know I've given you a lot to think about. The key is to take your time, double-check everything, don't jump at the best rate, do the math, and see what works best for you. I'd love to hear your suggestions too. Just drop a message below.
Vibrant Travel researches, plans, and books vacations for curious travelers, busy professionals, and groups looking for authentic and enriching experiences. We save our clients hours of searching the internet and precious time trying to pull together all the details needed to create memorable, hassle-free trips. We would love to help you too.
Call today at 407-517-4744 to end the frustration of doing it all yourself.
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